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you commit sodomy with men, and rob the wayfarer, and practice Al-munkar (disbelief, polytheism and every kind of evil deed) in your meetings.’ ” [Al-’Ankaboot 29:29].

Because of the repulsive nature and enormity of this sin, Allah inflicted four kinds of punishment which He had never before inflicted in combination upon any other people; they were: these people would be blinded, their city would be turned upside-down, stones of baked clay, piled up, would be rained down upon them, and an awful cry would be sent upon them.

In Islam, those guilty of this crime are to be killed by the sword, according to the soundest opinion. This punishment is to be carried out on both the one who does this and the one to whom it is done, if it is done freely and by choice. Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whomever you find committing the sin of the people of Lut, kill them - both the one who does it and the one to whom it is done.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad, 1/300; see also Sahih Al-Jami’, 6565).

The modern-day spread of incurable diseases like the killer AIDS caused by these corruptions, that were unknown to our predecessors, is an indication of the wisdom of the Sharee’ah in prescribing this severe punishment.

Not allowing one’s husband to have marital relations for no legitimate reason

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If a man calls his wife to his bed, and she refuses, and he goes to sleep angry with her, the angels will curse her until morning.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari; see Al-Fath, 6/314).

Many women, when they have an argument with their husbands, “punish” them -so they think - by denying them their marital rights. This may result in major corruption if the husband is tempted to do something haram, or it may backfire on the wife if the husband starts to think seriously of taking another wife.

A wife should hasten to respond to her husband’s call if he wants her, in obedience to the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “If a man calls his wife to his bed, let her respond, even if she is riding on the back of a camel (i.e., very busy).” (See Zawaa’id Al-Bazaar, 2/181; see also Sahih Al-Jami’, 547).

At the same time, the husband must show consideration towards his wife if she is sick, pregnant or depressed, so as to maintain harmony and prevent discontent or hatred.

Asking one’s husband for a divorce for no legitimate reason

Many women hasten to demand a divorce from their husbands for the least little argument, or if their husbands do not give them what they want of money. Some women may be egged on by troublemakers among their relatives or neighbors to challenge their husbands with provocative words such as: “If you were a real man, you would divorce me!” The dire results of divorce are well known: breakdown of the family and children roaming the streets. A person may come to regret divorce when it is too late. For all these reasons and others, the Sharee’ah wisely prohibited such actions. Thawbaan (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Any woman who asks her